Tragic ATV Accident Kills One, Injures Two Others in Spartanburg, South Carolina

SPARTANBURG, SC – According to an online news report at foxcarolina.com, one person has tragically died in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident.  Two others sustained injuries.*

The accident occurred in Spartanburg County, per the South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP).  The fatal accident occurred in the nighttime hours on Foster Mill Circle.  Troopers with the SCHP indicate that the ATV crashed after overcorrecting and flipping over. Three occupants on the ATV were ejected as a result of the accident.  Two of the individuals on the ATV were transported to a local hospital for their injuries.  The other person on the ATV unfortunately died following the crash.  The coroner identified the deceased individual as a 24-year-old male.  The SCHP is currently conducting an investigation of the crash.  

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 135,000 individuals sustain injuries each year due to accidents that involve ATVs.  Of this amount, approximately 700 sustain fatal injuries.  One-third of such fatal accidents happen to individuals who are less than sixteen years old.

There are several causes of ATV accidents, which include:

• Operator behavior.  If the operator of the ATV is not familiar with the area or how to handle the vehicle, it can cause them to be thrown from the ATV, for the ATV to flip over, or for them to completely lose control. Any of these incidents can lead to serious and sometimes fatal injuries.
  
  
• Incorrect number of passengers.  Another common cause of accidents is when the operator of an ATV allows a passenger on the vehicle when it is designated for only one individual. While ATVs may have enough space to fit another passenger, they are typically not built to safely hold more than one.  When operating a small ATV, the driver has to shift their weight in order to remain balanced on the vehicle. A passenger will not be able to intuitively shift his or her weight with the vehicle and as such, is vulnerable to falling off or causing the ATV’s balance to be shifted, leading to serious accidents.
  
  
• Defective ATVs.  Such defects include a faulty suspension, throttle stick, and steering column.  Also, defective tires could blow out, causing a serious accident.  

Accident News is a safety and education initiative from Montlick & Associates, designed to help people better understand and thereby avoid common accident causes.  To learn more about our injury prevention programs, including iridesafe.com - click here. We hope you are never in an accident, but if you or family member are injured, call Montlick & Associates 24/7 for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or use our live chat at Montlick.com.

Source:https://www.foxcarolina.com/news/troopers-atv-crash-leaves-one-dead-two-others-injured-in/article_741e86b2-f81e-11e9-bff1-abf63a337eb6.html